112. Young Plato; movie review

 

YOUNG PLATO

Cert 12A

102 mins

BBFC advice: Contains  implied strong language, bullying, moderate sex references, drug references

"We all bleed the same colour."

One young lad offered a simple judgment on why Catholics and Protestants should put aside their differences in Northern Ireland.

He could have also been talking about the war in Ukraine or any other conflict in the world.

The primary schoolboys of North Ardoyne, one of the toughest areas of Belfast, are the subject of the enthralling documentary, Young Plato.

It focuses on the unconventional but effective methods of Kevin McArevey, head teacher of Holy Cross Boy's School.

McArevey is an Elvis obsessive who is a devotee of philosophy and adapts his learning to the behaviour and intellectual stimulus of his charges.

Bearing in mind, that most of the children are under 11 years old, the results are startling.

It says much of his influence on the school's governors and parents that such a film could be made inside the school.

It appears that directors Declan McGrath and Neasa Ní Chianáin have free rein to record stressful moments which he and his team defuse by applying philosophy.

Of course, as with any learning, reinforcement is necessary but there is no doubt that respect for teachers and fellow pupils is increased.

In several scenes, Young Plato takes the audience back to our own childhood, reminding us of the playground spats and tensions around friendships and schoolwork.

But this film also has the backdrop of the conflict which still pervades between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland.

This is a subject which McArevey and his team take on head first - via the philosophy playbook.

Young Plato is a fascinating movie and captured our rapt attention from its first scene.

Its subject matter may initially seem dry but it is anything but. Indeed, it prompts several laughs and maybe a tear.

Every school would want Kevin McArevey as its head.

Reasons to watch: Shows how inspirational teachers can be

Reasons to avoid: A bit too glossy in parts

Laughs: Three

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Of the roughly 3,630 conflict fatalities that resulted from the conflict in Ireland almost half occurred in Belfast. Just under 550 deaths occurred in the north of the city alone. Most of these (some 396) were civilians.

The final word. Ní Chianáin: "I think if what Mr McArevey really does in his school became the norm in every school in the world, we’d been a very different place right now, so I hope people will see the power of critical thinking and I hope it’s embraced and people will make this part of the curriculum worldwide." The Moveable Fest

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